Position Description

Position Purpose

The Dean, as the chief administrative officer of the School of Law, provides vision and leadership in the areas of strategic planning; promoting faculty scholarship, teaching, and service; student recruitment; outreach to alumni and other internal and external law school constituencies; and financial development. The Dean also manages the administrative staff and the Law School’s budget.

Essential Functions

Although specific duties and responsibilities may be adjusted to best compliment the skills, abilities, and interests of the Dean, the following list outlines the position’s essential functions.

• Enthusiastically promote the University’s and School of Law’s goals and missions.
• Work with the faculty and administration in refining and implementing the School of Law’s long-range strategic plan.
• Strengthen the academic quality of the Law School and enhance its prestige and recognition among the bench, bar, and academic communities.
• Develop and manage the Law School’s budget, including working with the University administration to gain support for the Law School’s priorities. 
• Play a leading role in alumni development.
• Increase fundraising and strengthen the Law School’s financial resources.
• Play a leading role in developing career opportunities for graduating students.
• Support and motivate faculty scholarship.
• Promote teaching excellence.
• Encourage a climate of student support with an emphasis on students’ professional and social growth.
• Encourage a culture of diversity.
• Work collaboratively with the faculty and students on issues of Law School governance.
• Be a strong advocate for the School of Law within and outside the University community.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the legal community and other external constituents.
• Make recommendations to the Academic Vice President concerning the reappointment, retention, tenure, and promotion of faculty.

Supervision Given/Received

The Dean is responsible for the financial and management operations of the School of Law and reports to the Academic Vice President of the University.

Minimum Qualifications

• A law degree from a distinguished law school.
• Personal and professional integrity with the virtues of wisdom, courage, honesty, candor, fortitude, prudence, and a sense of justice.
• A commitment to high-quality legal education.
• Outstanding leadership abilities.
• High energy and a professional presence.
• A thorough understanding and appreciation of the leadership requirements of an academic institution.
• Strong administrative and managerial skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
• Potential to be an effective fundraiser.

Desired Qualifications

• Teaching experience at an ABA accredited law school.
• A second professional degree.
• Experience practicing law.
• Managerial or administrative experience, preferably in an academic setting.
• Successful experience in fundraising in the public or private sector.
• Production of legal scholarship.